Morning Hand-Washing

Get Your Hands Wet!

You're up, you're dressed, you even thanked G‑d for returning your soul—what more do we want? Wait: Did you wash your hands before getting out of bed?

The Reasons:

In the Holy Temple, the priests would wash their hands before their daily service. Every individual is a priest in the temple of his or her home and heart.

While the body rests, the soul ascends heavenward to recharge. Only the most basic soul-powers are left in place—those required for basic bodily functions. The resulting void allows for a negative spiritual state called tumah. Upon awakening, we wash our hands to remove the remaining vestiges of that tumah.

During the night, the hands often touched private areas; we therefore wash before praying.

The Procedure:

Before sleep, prepare a cup of water and an empty basin and place it beside your bedBefore sleep, prepare a cup of water and an empty basin and place it beside (not beneath) your bed.

When you wake, after reciting the Modeh Ani, wash the right hand until the wrist and then the left hand; repeat, and then repeat again. This washing is called Netilat Yadayim (or, in Yiddish, Negel Vasser).

Say the blessing: Blessed are you, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the washing of the hands.

Discard the water ASAP.

Details:

Chabad custom: After washing hands, getting dressed, and using the restroom, wash a second time (using same procedure) at a sink, and only then recite the blessing—in a more presentable state of mind and body. (Note: Water should be poured on to the hands from a vessel, not a faucet.)

Before Netilat Yadayim we do not: walk four cubits (approx 6 feet); touch clothing, food, or any body orifice; recite any blessings or prayer.

Didn't wash at your bedside? Wash at first possible opportunity.

Wash anytime you sleep more than 60 minutes. If it's a daytime nap, no need to prepare the water beforehand, just walk to nearest sink—and no blessing.

Then best to wait until the bus stops. (Unless of course it is a life threatening situation, in which case none of the rules apply and you should eat even without washing.)
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MiriamDecember 29, 2017

What about if your child wakes up in the middle of the night must you wash before going to them ?
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Rabbi EK for Chabad.orgJanuary 2, 2018

in response to Miriam:

If one is just covering the child or putting a pacifier one need not wash their hands as they are not touching the baby.If you are feeding the baby, preparing a bottle or changing a diaper it is best practice to wash your hands. If it is too difficult then one may be lenient and not wash their hands. (As there are Halachic authorities who do not require washing hands whilst it is still night.)
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EstherNovember 29, 2017

What is the source of the details? Are they from the torah, talmud, gemara?
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MarnieSimonsSeptember 30, 2017

what do you do with the water? I tip it out into my laundry sink however then wonder if that is a problem when I wash clothes etc in that sink. For me that is the easiest thing to do. What do you guys recommend in terms of getting rid of the negal vasser water?
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Awak GeorgeNigeriaSeptember 11, 2017

I know Hashem commanded the washing of hands by the priests in the temple so that they may not die.Did Hashem command this morning hand wash?
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Chabad.org StaffSeptember 18, 2017

in response to Awak George:

This is one of the seven rabbinic commandments, you can read up more about them hereReply

TziporahColoradoJuly 14, 2017

My dog Baruk sleeps on his own little bed beside my bed & you say the bowl & cup of water should not be under the bed...so how do we keep pet(s) from drinking our water for netilat y'dayim?
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Impurities
What about the toe nails? Do impurities also remain on them therefore we have to wash them?
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Chabad.org Staffvia chabadone.orgOctober 26, 2015

To Anonymous
It goes without saying that soap should be used when washing one's hands. This article is about ritual hand washing, which is separate from the routine hand washing one does.
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AnonymousOctober 23, 2015

What about soap? For hygienic (not spiritual) purposes, I was always taught to wash with water and soap.
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AnooPhilipinesOctober 15, 2015

yes I do perform the washing of hands and recite the netilat yadayim in hebrew berakah not in English .
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JimNorthwest FloridaNovember 17, 2014

Waking and getting out of bed in the middle of the night
What about those of us who have to get up in the middle of the night to "use the facilities" and then go back to sleep? Do we still perform Netilat Yadayim even though we're not "technically" waking up to start the day?
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Chabad.org Staffvia mychabad.orgJuly 29, 2013

Re Rinsing mouth
Modeh ani should be said as soon as one awakens, while still in bed. Prior to reciting the other morning blessings it is sufficient to rinse one's mouth.
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Hope GersheJuly 28, 2013

After Modeh Ani I go to the restroom brush my teeth and then recite the blessings.... How can I possibly recite the blessings without brushing one's teeth?
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